The Ombudsman found that no quorum of council for the County of Simcoe was present to discuss or advance council business during a recess from its meeting on March 25, 2025, and that there was no evidence of a collective decision not to return to council chambers following the recess. However, the Ombudsman urged members to be mindful of how their conduct reflects perceived adherence to the open meeting rules.
County of Simcoe - March 18, 2026
Read the LetterCounty of Simcoe - September 4, 2025
Read the LetterThe Ombudsman determined that the Committee of the Whole for council for the County of Simcoe did not contravene the Municipal Act, 2001 during its closed meeting on March 11, 2025 when a councillor made a brief statement at the beginning of the closed meeting that was unrelated to the discussion items listed in the closed session agenda. The Ombudsman encouraged all members of council to be vigilant in keeping discussions focused on the topics cited in the resolution to proceed into closed session and to ensure all matters discussed in a closed session fit within one of the open meeting exceptions set out in the Municipal Act, 2001.